Disney to Reboot ROCKETEER Because Why Not

The 20th anniversary of Joe Johnston’s The Rocketeerwas just last year, which must have alerted executives at Disney that it was time to remake the film. We talked to Billy Campbell, star of the original film, last year and he said he was “too long in the tooth” to reprise his role. While the 1991 film didn’t land a big enough box office draw to push for a sequel, now that parent studio Disney is under new management, The Rocketeer looks like it’s going to be one of the first properties up for a reboot. Perhaps the success of a similarly suited metal man with rocket propulsion made this a no-brainer. Hit the jump for more on this developing story.

Vulture reports that Disney’s new studio chief, Alan Horn, isn’t satisfied with resting on his laurels and letting Marvel and Pixar properties run wild. While I don’t particularly think there needs to be a reboot of The Rocketeer (it will remain a classic no matter what), I’m also curious to see how the Mouse House would handle it. A good-hearted hero without Tony Stark’s billions of dollars or sarcastic, sometimes cynical, wit could be exactly what this generation needs in their idols.

For those of you who haven’t seen The Rocketeer, the story follows pilot Cliff Secord (Campbell) who, with the help of his mechanic friend, Peevy (Alan Arkin) discovers a top-secret rocket backpack prototype. He uses it to become a masked flying man who fights Nazis and saves the girl in 1930s Los Angeles. The fun, innocent, family-friendly film is itself a comicbook adaptation and featured early roles for Terry O’Quinn (Lost) and Jennifer Connelly (A Beautiful Mind). We’ve posted the trailer below for your viewing pleasure. Do yourself a favor and check it out if you haven’t!